What is Life Coaching?

An recent article in Money Magazine said that "A coach may be the guardian angel you need to rev up your career." In fact, if you pick up any major newspaper or magazine, you are bound to come across a glowing article on coaching. It is one of the fastest growing careers, with an estimated 20,000 coaches in the United States. Because coaching is a relatively new profession, there are many people calling themselves "coaches"---unfortunately not all of whom are fully qualified. You should know that there is no required professional certification process, although it is coming in the near future.

When hiring a coach, it is essential that you know and trust your coach, as they are helping you craft your most important project---your life! The wonderful thing about coaching is that most coaches offer a complimentary sample session. This gives you the opportunity to see their style and find out if there is a match. To choose the best coach for you, ask them questions about their background, training, and any certifications. Most people simply choose someone based on the chemistry they feel after the session, so feel free to trust your instincts.

In the 21st century, coaching is no longer a luxury, but a necessity! All human beings have a natural instinct to grow and learn, and due to the increased interest in self-improvement, more people than ever want the extra support that a coach provides.

If you are in business for yourself, a coach is an integral part of your "success team." Your coach is invested in your success and provides insight, structure, and encouragement for increased effectiveness and fast improvements. He serves as your partner, champion and cheerleader for your success and fulfillment. She works with you to close the gap between where you are now and where you want to be in the future. Coaching is based on learning, reflecting, and taking action. It is an interdependent relationship, with the coach playing many roles such as that of listener, questioner, challenger, resource provider, and idea generator.

Top 7 Reasons to Hire a Coach

Are you tired of struggling? Are you working harder but not smarter? Then perhaps it is time for a change. Coaches are "change specialists." They bring a new and objective perspective to your challenges and stumbling blocks. They work with you to come up with creative solutions and exciting new directions.

A coach is professionally trained in human development and/or business processes, who forms powerful, insightful, and transformational relationships with his or her client. Through a process of discovery, life visioning, goal-setting, and strategizing, your coach partners with you to realize extraordinary results that could rarely be achieved alone.

1. You want to close the gap (more quickly and easily) between where you now and where you want to be in the future.

2. You have big dreams that scare you---and secretly would really like to live them out.

3. You want control over your own destiny.

4. You want assistance with staying on track---setting goals, managing your time/resources, and living in alignment with your values.

5. You've got great potential, but want help tapping into your intuition and personal power.

6. You want to be more successful---making more money or having more free time.

7. You want to explode your business and see amazing results fast!

Professional athletes and business executives stay at the top of their game with the help of a coach/mentor. For most of us, extra support can make all the difference in the world. Having a coach gives you the vehicle for accelerated accomplishment towards your goals. In this challenging world it is easy to get off track with what is most important to you. A coach keeps you focused, on purpose, and works with you to redefine goals and dreams. People dedicated to self-improvement work with different coaches throughout their lifetime and experience a higher level of living as a result. Depending on your need or challenge, you can find career coaches, relationship coaches, performance coaches, business coaches, executive coaches, prosperity coaches, communication coaches, etc.

***Just ask yourself: what life area would I like to change, improve or transform?

Coaching is an enlightening and empowering experience, and working with a professional coach can transform your life. There are a number of online resources to help you find just the right person. Visit www.locateacoach.com, www.coachvillereferral.com www.247coaching.com and www.coachfederation.org.

Michelle L. Casto, M.Ed. is a whole life coach, speaker, and author. She has written three self-help books and a dozen workbooks on life empowerment topics. Her coaching practice is Brightlight Coaching. She helps people come up with bright ideas for their life and empowers them to freely shine their bright light to the world.

Michelle can personally work with you to build and brand your business.

Contact her for a complimentary coaching session: coach@brightlightcoach.com

Visit virtually:http://www.getsmartseries.com or http://www.brightlightcoach.com

Sign up for her free monthly ezine, Get Smart! Live Smart by sending an email to:Getsmarter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Coaching Information:

Related Articles

4 Ways To Avoid Looking Stupid When Making Small Talk
The fear of saying something silly and feeling embarrassed stops many of us from contributing more to discussions at work and when we are relaxing with friends.And ironically the more we worry about it, the more tense we get and the more likely we are to say something stupid.
Training is Not the Same Thing as Exercising
What it takes to GROW!In almost every workshop we deliver, we try to teach the principle that the mind is a muscle. What does this mean? Well, your mind and really your whole life operate on the same growth and strengthening principles as any muscle in your body, and almost everyone misunderstands what it takes to make a muscle grow.
Who Do You Talk To?
Many of you reading this will be running businesses, or parts of, whether they are your own or not. This means that you have many things to deal with on a day to day basis plus trying to do the long-term thinking needed to lead and run the business.
How to Forgive Another for Past Hurts
No one gets through life without being hurt by another person. We all have experienced the pain of a thoughtless remark, gossip, or lie.
Becoming An Empowered Consumer
How many times have you said to yourself?"I just wish that company would treat me like they appreciated my business!"?For many years I trained Customer Service Reps at a large corporation. There is no doubt that it was during those years I personally became a consumer with rather high standards and expectations.
How to be Your Authentic Self
Most of us play many different roles in the course of any given day. We could be Mom, Boss, Employee, Student or Friend, to name just a few.
7 Steps to Take Control of Your Life
Taking control of your life is getting in touch with your values, setting meaningful goals and identifying your vision. To be in control of where life is taking you means being more productive, dealing more effectively with stress, having the ability to solve problems, handing change and developing healthy optimism.
Do You Make These Common Mistakes When Talking to People?
Many moons ago. Talking to people was something I avoided where possible.
Viewpoints - Communication Destruction Or....
Viewpoints! Everyone has them and they are personal. However, when you believe that only your view is correct, you shut out other people and do not listen to the facts they are giving.
Success Secrets - The #1 Money Secret I Learned from Interviewing Over 23 Millionaires
All over the Net, people are asking you to pay them for 'get rich' secrets, all the 'systems' have different names. Have you ever asked yourself this question, how many of them are really rich? Maybe a few, right?Wouldn't it be refreshing the learn money making secrets from ones who have documentation to back up there success? Then you know they are legit.
What Can Be Changed In Management To Improve Bottom Line Results?
If you don't have the full support and understanding of key management positions, any organizational changes being made are going to be thwart with difficulties. It is up to CEOs and Presidents to champion the cause and ensure their managerial teams are also in full support, so that it can filter down through the ranks more smoothly.
Addiction to Blame
Allen consulted with me because his wife of 18 years had threatened to leave him if he didn't stop blaming her all the time. He admitted to frequently blaming her in a variety of situations.
Your Personal Treasure Chest
Sometimes it is helpful to review several of the basic components of THE ENCHANTED SELF. That's what I've decided to do this time.
The Real Truth About Working Smarter, Not Harder
Running a business or department can often stretch you to the limit.To be effective at doing what you do best, it's imperative to look at what tasks you can either delegate or outsource.
How Does Sports Coaching Differ from Corporate Coaching?
Athletes Versus EmployeesMost athletes are young, open to improvement, eager to learn and anxious to receive what a coach can provide. For the athlete, there is a defined season and something tangible to compete for.
3 Keys to Making Small Talk Easy to Do
Small talk used to be really hard work for me. I never knew what to say and I always worried about saying the wrong thing.
Profitable Idea Generation in 4 Steps Using Improv
A large percentage of business are stuck, tied to narrow ways of thinking about themselves and their products. In the business environment you can't be stuck and survive.
Ch-Ch-Chain of Hearts: Cranking Up Compassion
Can you hear your compassion? It's time to crank it up.One of the most difficult challenges we face in our quest to be compassionate is dealing with conflict.
Four Common Rapport Building Mistakes and How to Fix Them
1. Pretending You Are Interested When You Are NotDo yourself a favor and be honest with yourself and the people you spend time with.
Where to Begin?
January is the king of months for those looking to make new beginnings. After the reflections and indulgences of December, the excitement of a new year unfolding brings contemplation of better days ahead.